SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea from Sept. 4-10, 2008.

September 4 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says a performance was given by art groups of working people in Pyongyang at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Sept. 3 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK (North Korea).

4 Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), meets with Rahimi Bin Harun, Malaysian ambassador newly accredited to the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang when the latter paid a courtesy call on him.

4 A ten-day film show to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK opens at the Pyongyang International Cinema House.

4 The KCNA says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il received floral baskets and congratulatory letters from the diplomatic corps and the military attaches corps in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

4 A national industrial art exhibition is opened to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK at the Pyongyang International Cultural Center.

4 The China Meteorological Administration donates equipment to the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration of the DPRK with the donating ceremony held in Pyongyang.

4 A national book exhibition is opened to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK at the Grand People's Study House in Pyongyang.

4 The military attaches corps in Pyongyang visit the (North) Korean Revolution Museum on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

4 A monument to fallen anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters is erected at the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK with an unveiling ceremony on the spot.

4 Mohammad Shahta Zarab, Palestinian ambassador to the DPRK, gives a reception at his embassy on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK.

4 Art performance "A Really Good Country" of kindergarteners from across the country is given at the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

4 A symposium of athletes and those in the sports field from across the country is held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

4 Kim Yong-nam, president of the SPA Presidium, sends a message of sympathy to Raul Castro Ruz, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, offering condolences for the damage caused by the hurricane that hit Cuba.

5 The KCNA says Kim Yong-nam on Sept. 1 sent a message of greetings to Swazi King Mswati III on the occasion of the 40th independent day of the Kingdom of Swaziland.

5 Kim Yong-nam meets with Hartmut Koschyk, member of the Federal Assembly of Germany who is chairman of the German-(North) Korean Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

5 A sports contest is opened to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK with an opening ceremony at the Kimilsung Stadium in Pyongyang.

5 A (North) Korean stamp exhibition is opened to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK at the (North) Korean Stamp Exhibition.

5 A Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia show opens with due ceremony at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

5 Diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations and the military attaches corps in Pyongyang visit the venue of the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Show.

5 Cuban Ambassador to the DPRK Jose Manuel Galego Montano hosts a reception at his embassy on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

5 A celebration event "Songs of women devoted to the great country of Songun (military-first)" is held by members of the (North) Korean Democratic Women's Union at the open-air theatre of the Youth Park in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

5 Kim Jong-il and Kim Yong-nam receive a message of greetings from Raul Castro Ruz on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

6 The KCNA says a national youth and students vocal solo and recital contest took place in Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

6 A national photo exhibition is opened to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang.

6 A delegation of the Workers' Party of Mexico headed by Coordinator of its National Coordinating Committee Reginaldo Sandobal arrives in Pyongyang to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

6 A delegation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact led by its Executive Vice President Xing Yunming, Manju Ratna Sakya, chairman of the Nepal Journalist Association, and his party and Giancarlo Elia Valori, chairman of the Development Bank of the Mediterranean who is chairman of the Italian General Investment Group, arrive in Pyongyang to participate in celebrations of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

6 A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Nam Sung-u, vice chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), arrives in Pyongyang to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

7 Yang Hyong-sop meets with the delegation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact led by its Executive Vice-President Xing Yunming at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

7 The diplomatic corps and military attaches corps in Pyongyang visit the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay tribute to the late President Kim Il-sung on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

7 Family members of anti-Japanese revolutionary "martyrs" and anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters in China, China-resident Koreans related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and overseas compatriots including congratulatory groups and delegations visit the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to Kim Il-sung, who lies in state.

7 The KCNA says a "Short Biography of Comrade Kim Jong-il" (an enlarged edition) compiled by the History Institute of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of (North) Korea was published by the Workers' Party of (North) Korea Publishing House.

7 The Nepal Journalist Association holds a ceremony conveying the "Nepalese International Peace Prize" to Kim Jong-il at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

7 A delegation of the Australia-DPRK Friendship and Cultural Society headed by Raymond Ferguson and a friendship delegation of Donggang City of Liaoning Province, China, headed by Song Shuguan, general manager of the Chaoyuan Fish Breeding Company Ltd., arrive in Pyongyang to participate in the celebrations of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

8 Wreaths are laid before the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong and the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery and floral baskets before the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

8 The KCNA says Pyongyang is in a festive mood on the eve of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

8 Kim Yong-nam meets at the Mansudae Assembly Hall with foreign guests who participated in the exhibition of books on the greatness of the "three generals of Mt. Paektu," who refer to the Kim Jong-il and his parents, and works representing reverence for them and the joint TV meeting held to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

8 Kim Jong-il receives a congratulatory letter from Russian President Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev on the occasion of the 60th founding anniversary of the DPRK.

8 A national meeting is held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium to mark the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

8 A mass gymnastic display entitled "May the Country Prosper" is performed at the May Day Stadium to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

8 The 18th meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of the Juche (self-reliance) Idea (IIJI) is held in Pyongyang.

8 The DPRK government gives a reception at the Pyongyang Koryo Hotel in honor of delegations and delegates of Juche idea study organizations on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

8 Kim Yong-nam sends a congratulatory message to Asif Ali Zardari on his election as president of Pakistan.

8 The DPRK embassy in Beijing hosts a reception to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK, with Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, the Communist Party of China, attending.

9 Senior party, army and state officials, a chairperson of friendly party, leading officials of party, armed forces and working people's organizations visit the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to Kim Il-sung on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

9 Kim Yong-nam meets with adherents to the Juche Idea such as Vishwanath, director-general of the IIJI, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

9 Wreaths are laid before statues of martyrs, the Monument to the Fallen Fighters of the People's Army and the cemeteries of martyrs in different parts of the country on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

9 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Emomali Rahmon, president of Tajikistan, on the occasion of its national day.

9 Kim Jong-il is presented with a congratulatory message in the joint name of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, the National Defence Commission, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

9 Omba Taluhata Michel, general secretary of the Kabilist Renovation Youth Union of Democratic Congo, arrives in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th founding anniversary of the DPRK.

9 The DPRK government arranges a banquet at the People's Palace of Culture on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

9 A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards is held at Kimilsung Square to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of the DPRK, but Kim Jong-il does not attend the inspection of the parade, causing speculation that the 66-year-old leader may be sick.

9 A torchlight gathering of youth and students titled "The Homeland of Songun" is held at Kimilsung Square in Pyongyang to mark the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK.

9 A reception is given by Kim Jong-il for overseas compatriots to mark the 60th founding of the DPRK.

10 Kim Jong-il sends a congratulatory message to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on his 43rd birthday.

10 Kim Yong-nam meets with Giancarlo Elia Valori, chairman of the Development Bank of the Mediterranean and chairman of the Italian General Investment Group, who is staying in the DPRK to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

10 A performance is given by art group members of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang to celebrate the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

10 The intelligence chief of South Korean government affirms that Kim Jong-il may have suffered a stroke around Aug. 15 before undergoing a surgery by foreign doctors.

10 Yang Hyong-sop meets at the Mansudae Assembly Hall with Enrique Roman Hernandes, first-vice chairman of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, and his party, who are visiting the DPRK to celebrate its 60th founding anniversary.

10 A music and dance performance, "Song Dedicated to the Homeland of Songun," is given at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.

10 Koitsiro Matsuura, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and his party arrive in Pyongyang.

10 The Grand Gymnastic and Artistic Performance "Arirang" is given at May Day Stadium in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.